Thursday, December 24, 2020

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Friday, December 18, 2020

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Sunday, December 06, 2020

ROCK WRIT! EPISODE 1

KNBT EPISODE 6 - SCHLEP INTO CHRISTMAS


Sol, Madrid - December 2020 by Rebeca Ulken












December 6th 2020 

The Zantees Lost Highway (intro) (Bomp/Charly)

Snök Abandoned Children of Christ (Self released)

Blimey I Can Pay (Gronpeppar)

Moons Of Saturn Fire In The Western World (Ghost Highway/Chaputa)

The Avengers The American In Me (White Noise)

Ledinsky DonaldTr*mpMakesMeWanna Smoke Cr*ck (Woah Dad!)

The Spazzys Let’s Get Spazzy (Fur)

Helen Love On My Own (Alcopop/Jigsaw)

Kid Gulliver Forget About Him (Red on Red)

Mr Teenage The Loser (Mr Teenage)

The Dahlmanns Tomorrow Came Today (Beluga/Ghost Highway)

The Trip Never Too Late For Linda (unreleased)

MX-80 Sound Goldfinger (a&R/ENT)

The Plastic Pals Hangin’ In The Louvre (Polythene)

Scott The Hoople Buffalo Springfield Again (McOi)

Sugar and Tiger Noël Christmas (Verycords)

Pantones Canción De Navidad (Subterfuge)

Jon Graboff Too Late For Tonight (Confidential)

Nicole Atkins Every Single Christmas (Single Lock)

Southern Culture On The Skids Surfing On Christmas Day (Kudzu)

Ben Vaughn Singers Christmas Feeling (MM)

RIP - DAVID L. LANDER (ANDREW SQUIGGMAN)

The clip holder shows Michael McKean (Lenny Kosnowski), but stick with it.


 

Friday, November 20, 2020

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Monday, November 16, 2020

Saturday, November 14, 2020

Saturday, October 31, 2020

Saturday, October 10, 2020

NEW EXCITEMENT FROM MR. TEENAGE (Thanks to Ross For The Tip)

Thursday, October 01, 2020

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Sunday, September 20, 2020

Friday, September 11, 2020

GIMME DAT DANG!!!

Sunday, September 06, 2020

KNBT EPISODE 5 – CASH YOUR REALITY CHECK


Captain (Stewart Cruickshank) Crunch -  Donut or Meringue?















September 6th 2020 (Contains Justified Profanity)

The Zantees Lost Highway (intro) (Bomp)

Lord Stornoway and David Shrigley Don’t Worry (BQ Berlin)

Hoodoo Gurus Hung out To Dry (Big Time)

Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby Vote That Fucker Out (Southern Domestic)

Scott The Hoople Nobody Really Cares If You Go To The Party (Bandcamp)

Ben Vaughn Wayne Fontana Was Wrong (MM)

Laura Cantrell Do You Ever Think Of Me? (Shoeshine/Diesel Only)

Nicole Atkins These Old Roses (Single Lock)

Missing Bees Smell Like Robots (Low Impact)

The Nomads I Can’t Wait Forever (Universal)

The Dahlmanns Forever My Baby (NBT/Pop Detective)

The Dictators Stay With Me (Unreleased Demo Version) You'll likely need to crank the volume on this compared to the other songs during this 'broadcast'.

Craig W Bell 2101 (Gustav via Bandcamp)

Mowgli and the Donuts Peking Blues (Clock Chimes)

Jerry Joseph with Drive-By Truckers Sugar Smacks (Decor)

Whistlestop Rock Queen of the Drive-In (Bandcamp)

Kid Gulliver I Wanna Be A Pop Star (Bandcamp)

The Yum Yums The Kind Of Girl (Screaming Apple /House of Rock/Rum Bar/Surfin Ki)

The Continental Quilts Can’t Kill Rock n’ Roll (Reduced To Clear)

Los AssDraggers What About The Fucking Martians (Family Spree)

Moron-o-Phonics Unsophisticated Boom Boom (Reduced To Clear)        

Annika Norlin Joining A Cult (Secretly Canadian)

Amy Allison Dream About Tomorrow (Amy Allison Music)

The Lonely Boys I Wanna Be With You (Parlophone)

Porretas Pongamos Que Hablo De Madrid (Edel)

The Zantees Lost Highway (outro) (Bomp)

Saturday, September 05, 2020

THE CENTER OF NOWHERE

The trailer for “The Center Of Nowhere” was a fairly emotional watch for me so I had some trepidation about the full length documentary. This excellent film about the “buckle on the Bible Belt” that is Springfield , Missouri is a triumph for all concerned being that it celebrates its subject without being an infomercial that looks like it should be on VH1. It’s a rich delving into this little known melting pot that enjoys a real deep and wide talent pool. I don’t want to ruin it for anybody and the real focus of all this is Lou Whitney and what his presence brought to the town.

It’s unlikely that anyone that visits this parish is not aware of his importance. If you are then it’s even more important that you watch this. Lou not only gets his justified due. This also gave me a chance to spend some (remote) time with some very dear friends. Dave Hoekstra has made what plays out as a love letter to this wonderful location. The story about Lou that Mike “Supe” Granda tells of the last show he played reduced me to rubble. That’s not to say that I didn’t get something in my eye at several other junctures. Bobby Lloyd Hicks is here too and if you were ever lucky enough to spend time in his company then you’ll know what I’m talking about.

We’re talking about guys that made a difference. There are plenty that are still around in there too to provide examples of why everybody should be aware of the pride of the “Show Me” state. And yes, I’ve been there, so I have first-hand experience. Joe Terry rightly suggests that he and his fellow Skeletons was a crew of Wrecking Crew/Muscle Shoals proportions in the film. The man is not wrong.

Andy Shernoff, Scott Kempner, Eric Ambel, Donnie (D. Clinton) Thompson and Jonathan Richman are just some of the folks that pitch in.

Friday, September 04, 2020

Thursday, September 03, 2020

Tuesday, September 01, 2020

EVERYONE SAYS "HI"!

I don't really care about latter day Bowie but this is great.

Sunday, August 30, 2020

Friday, August 28, 2020

16 YEARS - A HISTORY LESSON IN PICTURES

As the nights are (fair) drawing in and staying in looks like becoming the new going out, you’ll be looking for something to keep you away from the telly. 

Why not dig into this doorstep sized digest of photos, ticket stubs and flyers posters that cover 16 years of shows and venues in Scotland. It was printed up here too by MLG in Glasgow. At 560+ pages, the scrapbook-type tome is presented in town/city alphabetical order and I’d be surprised if at least one of your favourite acts wasn’t lurking in there as they 'developed'.  

Click on the image for details of how to get it, I don’t think this one will be able via the evil empire. You might consider the price hefty but once you see it then you’ll get the picture(s).


Sunday, August 23, 2020

Friday, August 21, 2020

Sunday, August 16, 2020

EVERY DAY IS SATURDAY (OR PERHAPS NOT)

 

Friday, August 14, 2020

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Saturday, August 08, 2020

Friday, July 24, 2020

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Thursday, July 16, 2020

Sunday, July 12, 2020

KNBT EPISODE 4 - TICKING TIME BOMB HIGH SCHOOL



July 12th 2020


The Zantees Lost Highway (intro) (Bomp)

The Yes Masters Ticking Time Bomb (No Threes)

Das Demonas The South Will Never Rise Again (In The Red)

LHD Blue Umbrella (LHD)

Rue 66 Jamais Trop Tard Pour Linda (Rue 66)

Vanessa Paradis Mi Amor (Barclay)

The Yum Yums Let’s Worry About Tomorrow (Screaming Apple)

Fat Cops Dehydrated (Fat Cops) 

Andrea Ros + David Caraben Tu No En Saps Res De Mi (Musica Global)

Angel Corpus Christi (Li’l) Surfer Girl (A&R)

Richard Davies and the Dissidents Heartbeat Smile (Bucketfull of Brains)

Hawks and Doves The Dangerous Ones (Jullian)

Mark Norris Out of Tune (Bandcamp)

Los Mofongos Puerto Rico (BadMan Records) 
                
Lucy and the Rats Pinch Myself (Stardumb/Surfin’ Ki/Dirty Water)

Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles Stop and Think It Over (Sugar Hill)

The Dahlmanns Fireball (Ghost Highway Recordings)

Ken Fox and Knock Yourself Out Do It (Rum Bar)

Scott The Hoople Nothing Is Better Than Anything From YOU! (Bandcamp)

Reigning Sound Time Bomb High School (In The Red)

The Zantees Lost Highway (outro) (Bomp)

Thursday, July 02, 2020

Sunday, June 28, 2020

ALL ABOARD THE BUBBLEGUM FACTORY EXPRESS!


It's time to hear those records play!

Hard to fathom that it’s been 7 years since the previous Yum Yums record but you know what they say about time flying. As an antidote to these times, this sonic vaccine will be available right around now and a quarter of a century later, Morten Henriksen has gone full ChinniChap and even manages to twin Moss Rock City with Bellshill here and there. 

“She’s Got Everything” is the best Teenage Fanclub song that Norman (Blake) never wrote. An upbeat shindig that'll fasten a dirty big grin across the coupon of all that come into contact with it. "Coupon" is a Scots expression for face.

Available on vinyl from Screaming Apple (act now because those will vanish fast) CD version is coming via Rum Bar (USA)Waterslide (Japan) and House of Rock (Europe)If it's a download you're after then Rum Bar and Waterslide.

It's typical that their first UK show ever has had to be postponed however, the 2020 edition of Pump It Up! will be rescheduled as soon as direction to how that can happen becomes available. Ditto for a celebration in the wee Norwegian idyll where it all began. Meanwhile, you’ll have FTATP so you can work up your moves ahead of time. See you ‘doon the front’ when this distancing malarkey is abolished, ideally in the company of Ms Gry Hartvigsen.

LOS ASS DRAGGERS ARE BACK!

Friday, June 26, 2020

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Saturday, June 20, 2020

RIP - KATHY KENYON

Devastated to hear that Kathy has departed this increasingly horrible orb upon which we find ourselves. I did wonder why there was no response after I sent her birthday message but there were often months between contact. It seemed like she could just have been having fun. I hadn’t seen her since 1999 when a bunch of us went for Indian food with Gina G, singer of one of the greatest Eurovision songs of all time. When Sid Griffin was here with Peter Case last year we sent her a picture and indeed it was a message from Sid that broke this news. KK was outright lovely and I recall when visiting Grangemouth, she couldn’t get over the difference between the pubs in London and up here. Kathy was also the biggest Robert Palmer fan ever and she worked with The Long Ryders during her tenure at Island Records. She LOVED Maltesers. I’m assuming that she lost her tussle with cancer. My condolences to her family and friends. The photo is from 1992’s In Search Of Elvis tour.
L - R : Kathy Kenyon, Art Fein, Me, Dave Alvin outside the place Art recorded Li'l Art's Poker Party

Monday, June 08, 2020

Friday, June 05, 2020

NO WORDS, JUST MUSIC



KNBT EPISODE THREE



The Zantees - Lost Highway (intro)

The Dictators - What’s Up With That?

The Slingbacks - All Pop No Star

The Dahlmanns - I Know You Want Me Back

Young Fresh Fellows - Gear Summer 2013

Al Bloch - Alpha-Omega

Full Toilet - So Fucked

Matt and Kim - Block after Block

Hayley Mary - The Piss, The Perfume

Flaming Hands - The Edge

Lucy and the Rats - September

The Christian Jacobsen Project - Bli Bra Igjen

The Yum Yums - For Those About To Pop

Dollsquad - Six Pack Generation

The Primevals - Best Days

Helen Love - Songs From My Teens

Zelators - Makoki

Borrowed Books - Altona

Ben Vaughn - When Losers Rule The World

The Cornell Hurd Band - The Long Goodbye

The Tuesdays - It’s Up To You

The New Piccadillys - Judy Is A Punk

The Zantees - Lost Highway (intro) (Bomp/Charly) 

KNBT EPISODE TWO



The Zantees - Lost Highway (intro)

The Courettes - Night Time (The Boy Of Mine)

The Piggies - She Ran Away

Eric Ambel - All Down The Line

Bithammer! - Urban Guerilla

Danger - Good Times Overload

Matilda - No Friends

Kid Gulliver - Susie Survived Chemotherapy

The Yum Yums - She’s Got Everything

LHD - Boiling Water, Dreamy Girl

The Third Mind - Claudia Cardinale

Family Spree All Stars - 
We Are The Worst (No Hay Rocanrol Me Quedo En Casa)

Ben Vaughn - I Get Vibrations

Baby Shakes - Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again

The Dahlmanns - Already Gone

Gelatinas - Sin Ti

Geoff Palmer & Lucy Ellis - In Spite Of Ourselves

The Courettes - Want You! Like A Cigarette

The Zantees - Lost Highway (outro)

KNBT EPISODE ONE



The Zantees - Lost Highway (intro)

Goldie Dawn - What’s Inside (Never Dies)

The Phobics - Waiting For Whatever Comes Our Way

Fuck Y’all - Nookie Bound

The Ratboys - Everybody Loves The Ramones

Crackhouse - Soy Un Terminator Nena

Kill My Coquette - Put Me In Your Movie Quentin Tarantino

The Pandoras - Run Down Love Battery

Bad Scene - Young Savage

Rage To Live - Enough Is Never Enough

The Dahlmanns - Do You Want Crying?

Teenage Head - Ain’t Got No Sense

Travis Ramin - Right Hot Dog, Wrong Bun

DM3 - One Time Two Times Devastated

The Dahlmanns - Party Girl

Screeching Weasel - Losing My Mind

New Math - Living on Borrowed Time

Juniper - Punk Rock Boy

The Zantees - Lost Highway (outro)

JEANNIE'S FAVOURITE BAND!

Thursday, June 04, 2020

RIP - STEVE PRIEST

RIP - SERGE MARTIAL (RUE 66) by DON (Antoine) CICCONE



Once upon a time, a couple of guys in San Francisco cooked up an idea to form a French '60's covers act. One bet the other he could find some chick who could sing in French to front it.  If he did, the other had to play bass. Our fairy godmother waved her wand... et voila: a tall blonde California girl who'd studied at the Sorbonne appeared before them. The bet was won, more musicians were found and the band called themselves Rue '66. Before long, yet another lovely, tall American gal appeared who could sing in French and shake a mean tambourine besides. Now the band was graced with a harmonizing duo.

They rehearsed, cut some demos and started doing gigs. A horn section offered their services and the band could hardly fit onstage. Audiences seemed pleased, smiling as they recognized some of their old favourites, this time sung in French, and dancing to the 60s go go beat. At one of these shows, a real Frenchman by name of Serge hopped up onstage and joined them for a couple of numbers. The atmosphere suddenly went from euphoria to mania. When the set ended, the crowd yelled for more... they wouldn't let the group step offstage. Serge had literally whipped them into a frenzy. He was subsequently invited to guest appear with the band again. Each time the same thing happened. Even when he stepped in with a band opening for Rue '66,  the crowd went nuts. Finally, Serge became an official member and now the band had no less than three people who could sing in French. The fellow from the start of this tale, who'd lost the bet and had taken up the bass in payment, shook his head in happy disbelief.
  
The happiness was not to last however as it was known that the talented performer who had just joined was living with a terminal illness. Against all odds, Serge hung on, no doubt strengthened by his love of performing with the band. This situation was not new to the group. Mark Zanandrea, the guy who dared the other that he could find a singer, was also in dire straits, physically. The odds finally began to catch up with him and he left the group and died after awhile. Serge now dug his heels in even further... when he wasn't kicking them up on stage... ever the entertainer. The group's last show with Serge was in San Francisco, the venue sold out... oversold in fact... with people spilling into the space next door just to hear, if not see the performance.  

Rue '66 talked for years about cutting an album. Serge made that happen. Organized it, found the money and helped with the production. He contributed an original song that he'd written in 1968 and co-wrote a new song just for the album. He also adapted French lyrics he wrote for a song the bass player had released back in the 80's with his band, The Trip. Serge played 12 string guitar and sang chansons by Jacques Dutronc and Eric Charden. The songs from the Rue '66 repertoire doubled when he joined because now the band was not only doing the ye ye girl stuff but the guy stuff as well.  

Most of all, Serge Martial kept Rue '66 going. His enthusiasm and hard work never wavered. It truly was an inspiration to all and his tireless efforts were unmatched plus, he was a real charmer. Cyril Jordan of the Flamin' Groovies who sat in with the band occasionally called him his "favorite Frenchman". Serge was truly one of a kind and this author feels greatly blessed to have known him and having been fortunate for getting the opportunity to work with him. 

He really loved the group. Serge was Rue '66's biggest fan.  

Au revoir, mon ami. 

Donald Ciccone (or as Serge called me, "Antoine") 


SHE'S GOT EVERYTHING!

DOWN AND OUT ON TRES CRUCES!

Monday, June 01, 2020

NBT PDF ARCHIVE UPDATE


Over the last couple of months, there’s been a new post here every day and I appreciate the regular visits. At this point, to extend my device distancing regime, those might not be so frequent over the next wee while. In some consolation, I’ve added to the archive NBT back issues, thanks to the assistance of Mr Simon Birrell. I know not how those might look on a phone browser but we’re up to Number 21 so go laugh, cry and all points in between at that stuff. I’d forgotten there was no Number 22 and can’t recall why – one of the benefits regarding the onset of auld age. Issue 23 was next – the Tenth Anniversary Edition with a Thee Roman Gods 45. It’s been a journey and who doesn’t have regrets? We’ll get from 23 to 27 in due course, just no holding your breath – alright? And if after seeing this lot, you don’t care, well that’s dandy too.

Some of the source material hasn’t aged well (the reportage - in my case - perhaps worse) and the PDF images aren’t great. Not having access to the scanner that I started out compounds the problem but the purpose is to entertain and any shortcomings are unavoidable. The plan is to work through other material and to park that, including the recent tip sheets, here too. The initial scan resolution is high but the documents themselves have been reduced so the file size isn’t stupid. These are provided for reference only and if anyone involved wants anything removed then I can do that. My toes have curled a lot. Beyond that, I was genuinely surprised because much of it I didn't remember at all. As I often remark, you cannae unscramble eggs.  


Sunday, May 31, 2020

ALL ABOARD FOR LOS RAMONES!


Episode 3 of KNBT is done. It’s a rickety process because I don’t have the software to do it properly but I’ll spare you the bad workman bullshit. I would like to work on something with somebody that knew what the fuck they were doing. I’m not ruling out future attempts but for now, Season One consists of just three parts. 

Apologies for the poor continuity at 9.49, 41.04 and a couple of other places, I did try to fix it but was just making things worse so I stopped. Sometimes it’s the only way to go. The music is all that matters.


Tuesday, May 26, 2020

ZELATORS TAKEOVER!

Sunday, May 24, 2020

PUT THIS ON YOUR BANDCAMP LIST FOR JUNE 5th!



Thursday, May 21, 2020

A SOBERING REPORT FROM THE FRONT (PART ONE)

ERICLAND

BLOCH AFTER BLOCH

Monday, May 18, 2020

YOUR WEIRDO! BAR NEEDS YOU!

A Message from SUSANA WEIRDO!

Hello everyone dear Weirdos.
As you know, the current situation is being very complicated at the hotel.
To raise funds and be able to move forward, we have decided to release a pro-support collection to the WEIRDO! BAR
T-shirts, tote bags and discounted drink bonuses!
Illustration is our iconic logo created by Kaz Prapuolenis capo of the American alternative comic book and creator of Underworld (Underworld).
Your collaboration right now is essential!!!
You can buy and collaborate through https://weirdobar.bigcartel.com
If you're from Madrid and want to pick up what you buy at the bar to save shipping fees, please include discount code PICK UP at the end of your purchase.
We have done it with lots of love, we hope you like them as much as we do 💗